Abstract: A reinforcing ring and a plastic fitting incorporating such a reinforcing ring are disclosed. The reinforcing ring and plastic fitting have particular utility with respect to fire sprinkler heads in buildings. The reinforcing ring has a single starter thread which is integrally formed with a guide portion which guides a male part to be axially in line with the female fitting.

Abstract: A conduit for trenchless applications is provided. The conduit comprises a first coupler region on one end of the conduit and a second coupler region on the other end of the conduit. The first coupler region is configured to be attached to a second coupler region of another conduit, while the second coupler region is configured to be attached to a first coupler region of another conduit. The first and second coupler regions can engage a sealing member and, optionally, a locking member.

Abstract: A reinforcing and a plastic fitting incorporating such a reinforcing ring are disclosed. The reinforcing ring and plastic fitting have particular utility with respect to fire sprinkler heads in buildings. The reinforcing ring has a single starter thread which is integrally formed with a guide portion which guides a male part to be axially in line with the female fitting.

Abstract: A reinforcing and a plastic fitting incorporating such a reinforcing ring are disclosed. The reinforcing ring and plastic fitting have particular utility with respect to fire sprinkler heads in buildings. The reinforcing ring has a single starter thread which is integrally formed with a guide portion which guides a male part to be axially in line with the female fitting.

Abstract: A reinforcing and a plastic fitting incorporating such a reinforcing ring are disclosed. The reinforcing ring and plastic fitting have particular utility with respect to fire sprinkler heads in buildings. The reinforcing ring has a single starter thread which is integrally formed with a guide portion which guides a male part to be axially in line with the female fitting.

Abstract: A fixture apparatus and system. The fixture apparatus includes a base plate. A clamp block extends from the base plate and has a clamp surface disposed at a first angle from the top surface of the base plate. A locator block extends from the base plate and includes a locator surface disposed opposite the clamp surface of the clamp block. An alignment means is provided for aligning the workpiece relative to the locator surface of the locator block. A clamp wedge is disposed between the clamp surface and the locator surface. The clamp wedge includes a drive shaft, a bearing surface and a wedge surface disposed at a second angle relative to the bearing surface. The second angle of the wedge surface is complimentary to the first angle of the clamp surface such that the wedge surface is substantially parallel to the locator surface. A drive means is provided for extending and retracting the clamp wedge.

Abstract: A method of altering an insert blank by disposing one or more of four shapes at a predetermined location on the blank to provide at least one sharpened edge. The blank can be either a new insert or one that has been dulled and is due to be discarded. The four shapes are a compound shape, a radius and flank shape, a bias helical shape and a helical rake shape. The bias helical shape and the helical rake shape can be either positive or negative. The radius and flank shape can be either concave or convex. The shapes can be ground on a blank using standard grinding machinery.

Abstract: An optical attenuator for attenuating a collimated beam of light propagating along an optical path while preserving the composition of polarization of the collimated beam of light is disclosed. The optical attenuator comprises a beam attenuator for attenuating a portion of the collimated beam of light when a portion of the beam attenuator is disposed within the optical path. The beam attenuator has a cross section along a plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the collimated beam of light of the portion of the attenuator in the shape of a wedge. The attenuation is varied using a controller for moving the beam attenuator in order to vary a size of the portion of the wedge within the optical path.

Abstract: A grinding fixture that allows a variety of helical shapes to be ground upon a variety of cutting inserts. The grinding fixture includes a bottom sine base for varying a first angle. A shaft is rotatably attached to the bottom sine base for providing rotation of the insert about an axis. A primary slide is rotatably attached to the shalt in parallel relation to the top surface of the bottom sine base for adjusting the position of a locating point on the insert in a first direction relative to the axis of rotation. The locating point is adjusted in a second direction relative to the axis of rotation by a cross slide attached to, and disposed in perpendicular relation with, the primary slide. A top sine assembly is fixedly attached to the cross slide for varying a second angle and includes a connection surface for fixedly connecting the insert holder to the sine assembly.

Abstract: A cutting insert that is remanufactured from an insert blank using one or more of four unique shapes to provide at least one sharpened edge. The blank can be either a new insert or one that has been dulled and is due to be discarded. The four unique shapes are a compound shape, a radius and flank shape, a bias helical shape and a helical rake shape. The bias helical shape and the helical rake shape can be either positive or negative. The radius and flank shape can be either concave or convex. One or more shapes can be ground on a blank using standard grinding machinery. Performance of the remanufactured insert frequently exceeds the performance obtained from newly manufactured inserts. Further, the expense to produce a remanufactured insert using a discarded blank is far less than the expense to produce a new insert.

Abstract: An optical attenuator for attenuating a collimated beam of light propagating along an optical path while preserving the composition of polarization of the collimated beam of light is disclosed. The optical attenuator comprises a beam attenuator for attenuating a portion of the collimated beam of light when a portion of the beam attenuator is disposed within the optical path. The beam attenuator has a cross section along a plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the collimated beam of light of the portion of the attenuator in the shape of a wedge. The attenuation is varied using a controller for moving the beam attenuator in order to vary a size of the portion of the wedge within the optical path.